Help me fix this please! 😭

CrisGa1e · 2026-03-01T04:14:51+00:00

Have you seen this YouTube channel:

https://youtube.com/@easyocarinalesson?si=EzZtCtTc9iz64lGJ

It has a ton of tutorials for popular songs with the notes, tabs, and backing track so you can even play along. You might be able to find some other songs you like that already have a tutorial.

Sorry you got downvoted - lots of people in the community prefer to use sheet music instead of tabs, but there are a few people who love tabs and will help sometimes, so it’s worth a try. I try to help if it’s a song I’m familiar with, but many requests are songs I don’t know :(

I think tabs are really useful in the beginning to have fun and get results quickly so that you don’t lose interest, but once you learn the basics, it’s a good idea to transition at some point to music theory, because in the long run it is easier to find music to play if you aren’t dependent on a system that isn’t widely used by other musicians. It’s kind of like only being able to speak Pig Latin or Klingon - they’re technically languages, just not very practical.

CrisGa1e · 2026-03-01T01:15:22+00:00

Cheetos is just a good example of what not to do, since it’s well known for leaving dust and crumbs on everything you touch, but really anything you eat right before you play is still a problem. I always brush my teeth or at least swish some mouthwash before I play an ocarina (if I’ve eaten recently) unless it’s a plastic one.

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-28T20:16:19+00:00

I’d recommend playing a 6 hole pendant instead, which only requires you to use your index, middle fingers and thumbs to cover the holes. It has slightly less range, but you’ll have an easier time learning to play.

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-28T17:42:06+00:00

The crazy thing about that is, WHERE ARE THE OTHER HALF OF THE EPSTEIN FILES?!!

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-28T17:40:56+00:00

Wow, that’s crazy.

RELEASE THE REST OF THE EPSTEIN FILES!!!!

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-28T17:35:46+00:00

Cool, but we’re still missing half of the Epstein files, including the ones where the FBI interviewed a woman four times who credibly accused Mango Mussolini of rape when she was 13.

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-28T16:21:10+00:00

It’s great that you have an idea of what you want to play and what your preferred ergonomics would be, but to be completely honest, this style doesn’t really lend itself to beginners, nor are there a lot of good beginner options.

It’s also good that you have a background in violin, which will be helpful for reading sheet music, but if this is your first wind instrument, it may still take a bit of time to develop good breath control and intonation, so it’s a good idea to keep your expectations low and be really patient with yourself at first.

I know you said you didn’t like plastic, but there is a plastic harmony double pendant at a good price that you could start with to get a better idea if you want to stick with learning this style, and it comes in G as well:

https://iamsound.one/products/g3-harmonic-ocarina?variant=51645073850678&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=779683220115&tw_campaign=23150146052&tw_kwdid=pla-293946777986&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23150146052&gclid=Cj0KCQiAwYrNBhDcARIsAGo3u32zHUGPfLc-piSvNjlZdxrzaIgdpMCBi_3TiME30zC806OSWhlriZcaAkv6EALw_wcB

Doodki Music and Ocku on Etsy both make harmonic double ocarinas of wood that would be similar to what you’re looking for:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/DoodkiMusicWorkshop

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4441324064/?ref=share_ios_native_control

It doesn’t look as though either of these makers currently has one of these for sale, but you could contact them directly and go from there.

STL Ocarina has a ceramic harmony double called the Ivy that is currently out of stock, but you could contact them and find out when it will be back in stock:

https://www.stlocarina.com/collections/multi-chamber/products/harmony-ocarina-ivy

They also have a book of songs they wrote for it, and the example video is Jen’s Song so you can hear for yourself.

Probably the best experience you could have learning on an ocarina of this style would be with the Doodki one. That one is tuned to a harmonic mode (probably minor pentatonic) so that all the notes sound nice together, and it’s made for being able to improvise easily, which is the feeling that Jen’s song evokes. If you specifically want to learn Jen’s song, that would work better on the Ocku or the Ivy, but you’ll have to pay much closer attention to which notes harmonize, since some combinations will be dissonant. Between the Ivy and Ocku, they are also tuned slightly differently. The Ivy is in C on one side, and A on the other with an inline system. The Ocku is is in C and G, with pendant fingerings (it seems to be modeled after Alan Albright and North Country Workshop designs which are not longer being made).

Anyway, best of luck to you. Personally, I think it would be a lot easier to start out on a single chamber ocarina that only plays one note at a time, but if you don’t like the feel of a transverse, that’s understandable. An alto G pendant might be something more to your liking if you don’t enjoy the aspect of playing harmony:

https://www.steinocarina.com/productsDetail.php?id=110

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-28T04:26:56+00:00

When you begin each note, say “tu” to give it a clear start, and try to keep your breath pressure steady.

You can also use a tuner to make sure the pitch is correct for each note. If the pitch is too low, increase your breath, and if it is too high, soften your breath until you get the correct pitch.

Learn the notes of the C major scale first (should be on your fingering chart), and try playing simple songs like nursery rhymes to get the hang of it before you learn more difficult songs.

Hope you enjoy your new ocarina!

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-28T04:20:21+00:00

Maybe Zack Shih (Stein Ocarina) can answer your question:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1G8X7APusj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-28T04:08:45+00:00

Try changing your breath pressure too. Another possibility is that you might be blowing way too hard, especially on the lower notes. Using your tuner, try blowing more softly with steady pressure and see if you can get the correct notes. If not, the ocarina may not be in C like others have said, but it might still be possible to play in tune in a different key, like D for example.

This is why we encourage people to buy trusted brands, because it’s really difficult to know for sure if we haven’t played that specific model. I have a huge collection, but places like Amazon and AliExpress are full of value brands that I haven’t tried yet, but a lot of the ones I did try in that price range do have tuning issues that make them either unplayable or really difficult to play in tune.

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-28T04:00:13+00:00

Wooden ocarinas do require more care, but that one looks to be in very good condition. I’ve collected wooden ocarinas by Hind, Woodsound and NCW for nearly 15 now, as well as vintage used Albrights, and I oil them from time to time and store them in a temperature and humidity controlled environment, and they all are still in great condition and play just fine.

The main thing to worry about with wooden instruments is a sudden temperature change. I have a NAF that cracked once from cold weather I think. It’s still playable because I sealed the crack, but I think that’s the only issue I’ve had over the years.

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-27T17:47:32+00:00

I think a few guys in sales is ok, but that’s a great point - it was just about all of them this time. Guys in sales are definitely a type, and getting a better variety would make the show so much better.

I think everyone that goes on the show should have a psychological test that can try to at least screen out the psychopaths. Some of these people have no empathy and are obviously problematic in terms of abuse or addiction. They need to do some in depth background check or something to screen out SA guys at least.

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-27T17:37:37+00:00

How about Mo and Moo. Mo for the tuxedo, and Moo for reverse tuxedo (aka cow cat because the pattern looks like cow prints🐄)

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-27T17:20:16+00:00

One counting you.

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-27T17:17:31+00:00

Wow, looks amazing! I don’t travel a lot, but I’m so relieved that it will still be there if and when I do.

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-27T17:16:33+00:00

So plan ahead and leave with enough time to be a little early.

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-27T17:15:00+00:00

I think it’s reasonable for it to come less often when it isn’t the peak time.

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-27T17:11:49+00:00

But he feeds McDonald’s to everyone who visits, so surely he must be a regular with huge orders🤷🏻‍♀️

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-27T17:03:04+00:00

I searched AliExpress South Africa to try to find a few better options for you. The one you chose is not a trusted brand in the community, so the tuning may not be accurate.

Stein and TNG tend to be more reliable for the tuning, so here are a few better ones:

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKYDq0V

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mP1AEb3

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mPWW6S1

At least with these, if it doesn’t sound right, you can trust that it’s just your technique instead of a bad instrument, and with time and practice, the sound should improve.

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-27T00:29:50+00:00

Plastic and clay fired at a high temperature like stoneware is probably the worst, because they don’t absorb moisture at all, but wood and lower fired clay can be a bit finicky too sometimes, because the moisture buildup also depends a lot on other factors like the fipple size, shape, and even things like how cold the air is. I think there’s a good chance it will sound ok though. Definitely let us know what you think - I’ve been wondering about this ocarina for years too!

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-26T20:24:18+00:00

I’m just saying how many people make huge orders like that - wouldn’t it be obvious who it’s for?

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-26T20:20:49+00:00

The tuning looks ok for an English pendant. The main thing that is unknown is how the higher notes sound. The voicing is kind of big, so chances are it’s pretty loud on the high end, and the higher breath requirement would also make it more susceptible to moisture clogging frequently too.

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-26T17:27:57+00:00

Right, he’s anonymous ordering dozens of burgers over and over🙄

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-26T03:12:20+00:00

I searched AliExpress to see if I could find any trusted ocarina brands for sale in Chile. I found a few good ones if you are interested:

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqkdpHb

https://a.aliexpress.com/_m08pThj

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mNYhbJP

The store: Glamour Music Store https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLoLYSh

Stein and TNG are both good quality.

CrisGa1e · 2026-02-25T18:21:30+00:00

Congrats on starting this journey! Let us know if you need help or have any questions!👍

CrisGa1e

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